A qualitative interview study of patient experiences of receiving motivational enhancement therapy in a Swedish addiction specialist treatment setting
Abstract Background Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) has shown to be efficacious as treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD), in reducing alcohol consumption and related consequences. However, qualitative research on how patients perceive this treatment is lacking. The aim of this study was to...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Addiction Science & Clinical Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-023-00398-7 |
| _version_ | 1797774021705596928 |
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| author | Stina Ingesson Hammarberg Jennie Sundbye Rebecca Tingvall Anders Hammarberg Christina Nehlin |
| author_facet | Stina Ingesson Hammarberg Jennie Sundbye Rebecca Tingvall Anders Hammarberg Christina Nehlin |
| author_sort | Stina Ingesson Hammarberg |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) has shown to be efficacious as treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD), in reducing alcohol consumption and related consequences. However, qualitative research on how patients perceive this treatment is lacking. The aim of this study was to explore how patients experience MET as a treatment for AUD. Methods Fifteen patients (8/7 female/male) participated in semi-structured interviews after receiving MET at a specialized addiction outpatient clinic in Sweden. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis. Results Five themes were identified: the therapist conveyed the MI-spirit, the therapist did not guide on how to reach the goal, participants were committed to change before starting treatment, participants were uncertain if treatment was enough to maintain change, and significant others were not wanted in sessions. Participants appreciated the supportive relationship with their therapist, but some experienced therapy as overly positive, with no room to talk about failure. Further, they experienced a low level of guidance in goal-setting. For some, this was empowering, while others requested more direction and advice. Participants perceived their motivational process to have started before treatment. MET was considered to be too brief. None of the participants brought a significant other to a session. Conclusions Therapist behaviors in line with MI spirit were emphasized as key to the development of a positive therapeutic relationship. More specific advice on goal-setting may be effective for supporting change in some patients. Longer treatment is requested among patients to support the patient’s self-efficacy for change. Significant others can support change without necessarily being present in sessions. Trial registration: The current trial was retrospectively registered at isrtcn.com (14539251). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:14:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6547000de5bc40b68d5bbd0a35ddc064 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1940-0640 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T22:14:54Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Addiction Science & Clinical Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-6547000de5bc40b68d5bbd0a35ddc0642023-07-23T11:21:56ZengBMCAddiction Science & Clinical Practice1940-06402023-07-011811910.1186/s13722-023-00398-7A qualitative interview study of patient experiences of receiving motivational enhancement therapy in a Swedish addiction specialist treatment settingStina Ingesson Hammarberg0Jennie Sundbye1Rebecca Tingvall2Anders Hammarberg3Christina Nehlin4Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care ServicesCentre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care ServicesDivision of Psychiatry, Uppsala University HospitalCentre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, & Stockholm Health Care ServicesDepartment of Medical Sciences, Psychiatry, Uppsala UniversityAbstract Background Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) has shown to be efficacious as treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD), in reducing alcohol consumption and related consequences. However, qualitative research on how patients perceive this treatment is lacking. The aim of this study was to explore how patients experience MET as a treatment for AUD. Methods Fifteen patients (8/7 female/male) participated in semi-structured interviews after receiving MET at a specialized addiction outpatient clinic in Sweden. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis. Results Five themes were identified: the therapist conveyed the MI-spirit, the therapist did not guide on how to reach the goal, participants were committed to change before starting treatment, participants were uncertain if treatment was enough to maintain change, and significant others were not wanted in sessions. Participants appreciated the supportive relationship with their therapist, but some experienced therapy as overly positive, with no room to talk about failure. Further, they experienced a low level of guidance in goal-setting. For some, this was empowering, while others requested more direction and advice. Participants perceived their motivational process to have started before treatment. MET was considered to be too brief. None of the participants brought a significant other to a session. Conclusions Therapist behaviors in line with MI spirit were emphasized as key to the development of a positive therapeutic relationship. More specific advice on goal-setting may be effective for supporting change in some patients. Longer treatment is requested among patients to support the patient’s self-efficacy for change. Significant others can support change without necessarily being present in sessions. Trial registration: The current trial was retrospectively registered at isrtcn.com (14539251).https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-023-00398-7Motivational enhancement therapyAlcohol use disorderQualitativeThematic analysis |
| spellingShingle | Stina Ingesson Hammarberg Jennie Sundbye Rebecca Tingvall Anders Hammarberg Christina Nehlin A qualitative interview study of patient experiences of receiving motivational enhancement therapy in a Swedish addiction specialist treatment setting Addiction Science & Clinical Practice Motivational enhancement therapy Alcohol use disorder Qualitative Thematic analysis |
| title | A qualitative interview study of patient experiences of receiving motivational enhancement therapy in a Swedish addiction specialist treatment setting |
| title_full | A qualitative interview study of patient experiences of receiving motivational enhancement therapy in a Swedish addiction specialist treatment setting |
| title_fullStr | A qualitative interview study of patient experiences of receiving motivational enhancement therapy in a Swedish addiction specialist treatment setting |
| title_full_unstemmed | A qualitative interview study of patient experiences of receiving motivational enhancement therapy in a Swedish addiction specialist treatment setting |
| title_short | A qualitative interview study of patient experiences of receiving motivational enhancement therapy in a Swedish addiction specialist treatment setting |
| title_sort | qualitative interview study of patient experiences of receiving motivational enhancement therapy in a swedish addiction specialist treatment setting |
| topic | Motivational enhancement therapy Alcohol use disorder Qualitative Thematic analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-023-00398-7 |
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